Aircraft Wing Slat Track Roller Bearing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft wing designs are cumbersome, heavy, and costly due to complex slat connection assemblies, which hinder efficiency and performance.
Innovation Solution
A simplified wing design featuring a slat track with a C, double-C, I, or H-profile, utilizing a single or dual roller unit arrangement that minimizes weight and complexity by eliminating redundant components and optimizing roller placement, allowing for efficient movement and load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional roller bearing with multiple roller units is used to connect the slat track to the main wing, then the connection assembly provides sufficient load bearing capacity and reliability, but the connection assembly becomes heavy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates redundant roller units from the traditional roller bearing design. By analyzing the actual load paths and movement requirements, the invention determines that fewer roller units are sufficient, removing unnecessary components to reduce complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate roller units into a more integrated configuration. The slat track profile itself is designed to guide and support the reduced number of roller units, combining structural support and guidance functions that were previously separated into multiple components
2Reliability
If a traditional roller bearing with multiple roller units is used to connect the slat track to the main wing, then the connection assembly provides sufficient load bearing capacity and reliability, but the connection assembly becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes redundant roller units from the connection assembly, directly reducing the weight of moving components. By carefully selecting the minimum number of roller units needed for reliable operation, the invention achieves weight reduction without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the roller bearing system by reducing the number of roller units and optimizing their placement. This parameter change directly impacts the weight of the connection assembly while maintaining the necessary load bearing capacity through strategic positioning of the remaining roller units
3Device complexity
If a simplified slat track profile is used with reduced roller units, then the connection assembly weight and complexity are reduced, but the load bearing capacity must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the slat track profile with specific geometric features at critical locations. The profile includes flanges, webs, and recesses that are strategically shaped to concentrate and distribute loads efficiently at the points where the reduced number of roller units contact the track, ensuring adequate load bearing capacity despite fewer rollers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the cross-sectional geometry of the slat track profile (the second dimension) to compensate for the reduction in the number of roller units. By optimizing the profile shape in the cross-sectional view, the design creates multiple load paths and stress distribution patterns that maintain strength despite having fewer roller units along the longitudinal axis
4Strength
If the second roller unit is positioned to engage both upper and lower flange portions simultaneously, then the load distribution is optimized, but the roller unit occupies excessive space and adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic engagement where the second roller unit alternates between engaging the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion during slat track movement. This periodic action allows the single roller unit to distribute loads effectively across both flanges over the movement cycle without requiring simultaneous engagement that would increase space occupation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing the roller unit to engage both flanges simultaneously (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using a single roller unit that engages one flange at a time in succession. This inversion reduces the space required for the roller unit while maintaining load distribution through the alternating engagement pattern
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design reduces weight, complexity, and cost while maintaining efficient slat movement and load handling, enhancing overall wing performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The roller bearing comprises a guide rail fixedly mounted to the main wing and a first roller unit mounted to the rear end of the slat track and engaging the guide rail
Implementation Method 2
The front end of the slat track is preferably fixedly mounted to the slat, e.g. by two spherical bearings, both arranged with an offset in a wing profile plane across a wing span direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wing (3, see Fig.1) for an aircraft (1, see Fig.1), comprising a main wing (5, see Fig.1), a slat (7, see Fig.1), and a connection assembly (9, see Fig.1) movable connecting the slat (7, see Fig.1) to the main wing (5, see Fig.1), wherein the connection assembly (9, see Fig.1) comprises an elongate slat track (17), wherein the front end (21) of the slat track (17) is mounted to the slat (7, see Fig.1), wherein the rear end (23) and the intermediate portion (25) of the slat track (17) are mounted to the main wing (5, see Fig.1) by a roller bearing (27) comprising a guide rail (29) mounted to the main wing (5, see Fig.1) and a first roller unit (31) mounted to the rear end (23) of the slat track (17) and engaging the guide rail (29), and wherein the roller bearing (27) comprises a second roller unit (33) mounted to the main wing (5, see Fig.1) and engaging an engagement surface at the intermediate portion (25) of the slat track (17). The object, to provide a possibly simple, lightweight and cost-efficient wing design, is achieved in that the slat track (17) has a profile (37) comprising an upper flange portion (39), a lower flange portion (41) and at least one web portion (43) connecting upper and lower flange portions (39, 41), and in that the second roller unit (33) is arranged in a recess (45) between upper and lower flange portions (39, 41) and engages the engagement surface (35) provided at the upper flange portion (39) and/or at the lower flange portion (41).